Spindelberger wing cuffs for tiedown; severe winds

On Mar 24, 6:40*am, JJ Sinclair wrote:
Do you sell "block time" for your workshop/repair services? Maybe
people tying down their gliders at Minden for long periods of time can
purchase some in advance.

No, but at one time we were accused of running a Grob re-cycle
business, the clubs would bust them up, we purchased them from the
insurance company, repaired them and sell them back to the
clubs...............neat little closed-loop system!

Back to tie-downs, I use a large aluminum cuff (12" X 12" X 1/8") with
a 90 degree flange on top where the strap goes. *I had the local tin-
bender make them up, padded with felt and slip it over the inboard end
of the aileron. All the force is forward over the leading edge, then
down to a come-along then around the cable. With a wing-stand on the
tip it works well, but I'd still rather put it in the box and then tie
down the box.
JJ

Hey JJ,

Do you have a tie down solution for ASW27 (narrow tip with full length
aileron)?

Thanks,

Ramy

I'd use the cuff, no real pressure except forward then over the
leading edge and down to a cargo-tiedown (come-along). This will also
act as a control lock for ailerons. I use a hard rubber bungie hooked
to the stick then forward to one of the rudder pedals to lock rudder
and elevator. I also use this to do my solo control check after
assembly. I check the ailerons with the trailer control locks in place
(one at a time). I check the spoilers to give wheel brake when full
aft and if they close and lock, they're hooked up. Please don't
somebody read me the riot act about how to properly do a critical
assembly check, I've got automatic hook-ups and I'm convinced my
system checks everything. I do it right after assembly (also solo with
the Wing Rigger) and don't have to go looking for someone who probably
doesn't know how to do a proper assembly check, anyway!
My, how I can carry on,
JJ

Hey JJ,

Do you have a tie down solution for ASW27 (narrow tip with full length
aileron)?

Thanks,

Ramy

Please don't
somebody read me the riot act about how to properly do a critical
assembly check, I've got automatic hook-ups and I'm convinced my
system checks everything. I do it right after assembly (also solo with
the Wing Rigger) and don't have to go looking for someone who probably
doesn't know how to do a proper assembly check, anyway!
My, how I can carry on,
JJ

Finally, someone honest enough to admit doing what I occasionally do
before I push out to the line. Except I use the seat belts to lock the
stick in the full aft and center position and then go tug on the
control surfaces. I don't do it very often but I've got auto hook-ups,
too, and this avoids my having to ask the helper repeatedly to "please
hold the control surface steady; if anything breaks, it's my fault."

And since this was posted during a "how to tie down a glider" thread,
I'll also weigh in with: just put it in the box. I tied down once in
the last 30 years and there was so much dew on the wings in the
morning and I so worried about the potential for damage that I
resolved never to do it again. I can solo rig in 10 minutes (ignoring
tape, etc., which does add something) and tie the trailer down a lot
more securely than the glider.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
USA

Chip Bearden wrote:

And since this was posted during a "how to tie down a glider" thread,
I'll also weigh in with: just put it in the box.

This is the best idea for people with small, lightweight gliders, like
Chip's, or an ASW 27. Consider the situation for pilot of an 18 M
motorglider, like myself or Mitch, who asked the question. The wing
panels are 30 feet long, with about 40% more area than a ASW 27, and
weigh 160 pounds each. It's not just the weight, which can be avoided
with a rigging dolly, but also the larger wing makes it harder in the wind.

And, the fuselage with the motor is almost 500 pounds. Tying it down is
definitely quicker and easier than derigging/rigging. Factor in a weak
back, and it's really attractive.

I tied down once in
the last 30 years and there was so much dew on the wings in the
morning and I so worried about the potential for damage that I
resolved never to do it again.

Come out West, where "dew" is what you drink! Excess humidity is not a
problem for us, and wing covers might solve the problem where you fly.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
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